In September of 2007 the Buckman Marimba Ensemble had it's first rehearsal as an after-school SUN class. This group consists of twelve 3rd, 4th, and 5th-graders. Being Buckman kids, they made quick musical progress and had their debut performance in October at The Harvest Festival. In December they performed at Barnes & Noble at the Lloyd Center with members of White Rhino, Boka Marimba, Bokozozo and Wood Vibrations. On January 25th, 2008 they will open for Muvhuro Marimba at the Buckman Family Dance.

Thanks to a grant from First Octave we were able to expand our program and add another after-school class for all ages and an evening parent-child class. This evening class includes 2nd-3rd grade teacher, Dawn Roberts. It also includes four members of the Ristvedt family: mom, Kristy; dad, Reed; and twins Ella and Kylie. Their oldest daughter, Taylor, plays in the Buckman Marimba Ensemble so they may be the only family in the US who has every member in a marimba band.